Today’s installment of campaign-related news items that won’t necessarily generate a post of their own, but may be of interest to political observers:
* The AP reported over the week that Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s (R) team is “beginning to lay the groundwork” to compete in the Iowa presidential caucuses. Aides said the preliminary inquiries are not proof that Perry is definitely going to run.
* The latest Magellan Strategies survey in New Hampshire shows Mitt Romney with a huge lead in the first GOP presidential primary, topping the field with 42% support. No other candidate came within 30 points.
* Newt Gingrich’s campaign is in so much trouble, the disgraced former House Speaker is only scheduling events within driving distance of his Georgia and DC-area homes. He still has no staff in Iowa, following the en masse resignations of his team two weeks ago.
* In fundraising news, the DSCC outraised its Republican counterpart in May, $4.1 million to $3.1 million. Year to date, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has taken in $18.6 million to the National Republican Senatorial Committee’s $17.8 million.
* In Nevada, appointed Sen. Dean Heller may face a Republican primary, and a result, he’s abandoning his record as a pro-choice lawmaker.
* In Utah, Sen. Orrin Hatch (R) appears to have a real problem. A new Deseret News/KSL-TV poll shows him tied with Democratic Rep. Jim Matheson in a hypothetical match-up, and leads likely GOP primary challenger Rep. Jason Chaffetz by just three points.
* Former Nevada Republican Party Chair Mark Amodei was easily chosen as the GOP’s nominee in the upcoming 2nd district special election. Amodei immediately launched a hysterical television ad, arguing that raising the debt ceiling would lead to a Chinese takeover of the United States.
* Former Sen. George Allen (R-Va.), trying to make a comeback, still refuses to say whether he would vote for or against his party’s budget plan, including Medicare privatization. No Profile in Courage Award for you, George.
